Research

How a wetland can clean equipment-washing water

February 28, 2017 By Mickey Spokas, Ph.D., Michelle DaCosta, Ph.D. and Scott Ebdon, Ph.D.

During the summer of 2011, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Turfgrass Research Center constructed a small artificial wetland (vegetated sand bed) to treat water used to wash the facility’s mowers and spraying equipment following use. The system consists of ...

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Annual bluegrass control in California

February 24, 2017 By Jim Baird, Ph.D.

California’s Mediterranean climate is ideal for annual bluegrass (Poa annua). Under intensive management, however, this species is highly susceptible to several abiotic and biotic stresses, including heat/drought/cold, disease (e.g., anthracnose and rapid blight) and nematodes (e.g., Anguina in coastal northern ...

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Winter traffic stress on a Transition Zone bentgrass green

February 22, 2017 By Winston Nickles Mirmow, Haibo Liu, Ph.D., Bert McCarty, Ph.D. and James Rieck, Ph.D.

Many factors affect the durability of turfgrass under traffic stress, including the turfgrass species and cultivar, timing and type of traffic, root zone composition and construction type, soil moisture levels, recovery time and maintenance regiments. A 2008 study noted that ...

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Resisting the little green invaders

January 30, 2017 By Jim Brosnan, Ph.D.

What do superintendents, farmers and weekend gardeners have in common? For one, they all share a strong dislike of weeds. Whether you’re a professional or amateur, nothing can ruin your day like a weed. Worse yet, no matter how you ...

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Predicting emergence patterns for timing control programs

January 23, 2017 By Patrick McCullough, Ph.D.

Seedheads reduce the aesthetics and quality of golf course turfgrass. TifGrand bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt Davy) and Sea Isle 1 seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Sw.) are popular selections for golf course fairways, tees and roughs. ...

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Data that forecasts ET is now at your fingertips

January 11, 2017 By Clark Throssell, Ph.D.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know the forecast ET (evapotranspiration) when making decisions about irrigation? And wouldn’t it be even better if that information were available for free and at your fingertips? The forecast reference ET (FRET) is available nationwide ...

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